What is Advance Care Planning?

‍Advance care planning is the process of discussing and documenting your healthcare preferences for future medical decisions. This involves conversations with family members and healthcare providers about your values, beliefs, and wishes regarding medical treatment if you become unable to make decisions for yourself.

Why is advance care planning important?

• Ensures wishes are honored: Your preferences guide medical decisions when you can't speak for yourself.
• Reduces family burden: Loved ones know your wishes and avoid guessing during crises.
• Improves care quality: Healthcare teams can provide care aligned with your values.

Components of advance care planning

• Selecting a healthcare proxy or agent.
• Creating advance directives like living wills.
• Discussing specific treatment preferences.

How Solace can help

‍A Solace advocate can help you initiate advance care planning conversations, understand various directive options, and ensure all necessary documents are properly completed and distributed to healthcare providers and family members. They can also help you update plans as your health status or wishes change.